FULL-TIME: Valenica 2-3 Barcelona

Valencia players are furious at the final whistle, but there’s no arguments - that was a penalty. Suarez was chopped down and the referee was right to point to the spot.

Messi, who doesn’t have a great penalty record, stepped up and swept the ball past Diego Alves to claim all three points.

It had been a thrilling game up until that point. Messi gave Barcelona a first half lead with a fine finish in a crowded penalty box.

Valencia roared back in the second half and goals from Rodrigo and Munir edged them in front.

Luis Suarez got Barcelona back on level terms and the game looked to be heading for a draw until Messi scored from the spot to win the game at the Mestalla.

(Image: Getty)

17:07

GOAL! Valencia 2-3 Barcelona

Lionel Messi scores to win it in injury-time for Barcelona.

The captain strikes the ball into the bottom right hand corner past Diego Alves who guessed the right way.

Heartbreak for Valencia. Messi mobbed by his teammates.

17:05

PENALTY TO BARCELONA!

Suarez chopped down inside the box. It’s a penalty for Barcelona in injury time.

17:04

Frantic finish to the game.

Both teams chasing the win.

Valencia fighting hard to unsettle Barcelona as they try to get their passing going in the final third.

16:58KEY EVENT

CHANCE! Nani and Suarez misses great chances

First, the Valencia forward got in behind the Barcelona defence with only Ter Stegen to beat and he lashed the ball wide when he should have scored.

Then Luis Suarez missed a golden opportunity to win it for the visitors.

The no.9 had a free header inside the Valencia box, but he could only direct it over the bar. A player of his quality should score in that situation with ease.

(Image: Getty Images )

16:54

News on Andreas Iniesta’s injury. The club released this statement.

“injured the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. When he arrives in Barcelona the player will have more tests to find out the exact extent of the injury. “

16:49

Enzo Perez puts in two big tackles in quick succession.

He nails Lionel Messi and then Neymar.

The Valencia captain has set the tone for his side. They’ve done everything they can to unsettle the visitors.

16:46

With 20 minutes to play Luis Enrique makes a chance - Denis Suarez comes on for Andre Gomes.

Can the midfielder make a difference?

Barcelona going in search of the win.

16:35

GOAL! Valencia 2-2 Barcelona

Luis Suarez equalisers for Barcelona! What drama here at the Mestalla! The Uruguayan reacted so sharply inside the box to pounce on that chance.

He was the quickest to react to Diego Alves’ brilliant save from Ivan Rakitic’s header. The Valencia goalkeeper looked like he had done enough to push the ball way from danger, but Suarez lashed the ball past him from a tight angle. Brilliant goal.

(Image: Getty Images)

16:30

GOAL! Valencia 2-1 Barcelona

Would you believe it! Valencia take the lead in the 56th minute.

Nani scooped a brilliant ball into Rodrigo who had slipped in behind the Barcelona defence.

The Spanish forward swept it past Ter Stegen with a left-footed finish.

What a turnaround. Can Valencia hold on? How will Barcelona react to this situation?

(Image: Getty)

16:27

GOAL! Valencia 1-1 Barcelona

The home side back on level terms.

The on-loan Barcelona striker Munir El Haddadi puts the ball in the back of the net with a fine left-footed finish. Measured cross from Daniel Parejo deserves a lot of credit too.

Munir had way too much time and space in the box. Poor defending from Barcelona.

The Spaniard refused to celebrate. Surely he should be saying, “Remember me?”

(Image: REUTERS)

16:25

Neymar booked for blatant obstruction on Munir El Haddadi.

16:24KEY EVENT

CHANCE! Rakitic misses open goal

Neymar draws a fine save from Diego Alves with a powerful low shot.

The loose ball falls at the feet of Ivan Rakitic, but the Croatian blazes over with the goal at his mercy.

Terrible miss from Rakitic - how did he miss that?

16:22

Yellow card for Barcelona’s Lucas Digne.

16:19

SECOND HALF: Valencia 0-0 Barcelona

We’re back underway at the Mestalla.

No changes for either side.

Will Barcelona extend their lead or can Valencia get back on level terms?

16:18

HALF-TIME: Valenica 0-1 Barcelona

Thrilling first half. Barcelona at times were at their irresistible best and they deserved to take the lead with another fine finish from Lionel Messi.

Diego Alves made a string of excellent saves to keep his side in the game.

By the end of the half Valencia could have quite easily been on level terms.

One big loss for Barcelona - Andreas Iniesta. The captain went off on a stretcher with a knee injury.

(Image: Getty)

16:04

CHANCE! Overhead kick from Neymar narrowly misses

The Brazilian flicked the ball up and went for an acrobatic finish with a spectacular overhead kick.

Clean connection, but not enough accuracy. Ball flies over the bar.

He could have passed the ball back to Messi, but where’s the fun in that?

16:02

CHANCE! Ter Stegen denies Valencia equaliser

The Barcelona goalkeeper makes himself big and blocks a shot from Parejo.

Should be 1-1. Fine save from big German.

Valencia looked like they were going to crumble but they’ve grown in strength towards the end of the half and they should be level.

15:56KEY EVENT

CHANCE! Diego Alves saves from Luis Suarez

Lionel Messi put Luis Suarez through on goal and he sees his goalbound shot beat away from Diego Alves.

Excellent save from the Valencia goalkeeper.

The home side hanging on here.

(Image: Getty)

15:50KEY EVENT

Valencia have penalty appeal turned down

Samuel Umtiti went straight through the back of Rodrigo inside the Barcelona box - looked a certain penalty - but the referee waved play on.

That’s a big let off for Barcelona there.

Fair to say the Valencia faithful inside the Mestalla didn’t agree with the decision...

15:47KEY EVENT

CHANCE! Diego Alves saves from Lionel Messi

Quicksilver attack from Barcelona ends with Lionel Messi firing a fierce shot at goal from a tight angle.

Diego Alves stands his ground and pushes it around the post.

Valencia’s defence almost caught out napping there.

15:41

Sergio Busquets booked for pulling a Valencia player back.

Hot-tempered game so far.

There’s no way this match will end with 22 players on the pitch...

15:39

GOAL! Valencia 0-1 Barcelona

Fantastic finish from Lionel Messi.

The Barcelona captain manages to fire a shot through a crowded penalty box and into the bottom left hand corner.

Typical brilliance from the diminutive magician.

(Image: Getty)

15:34

Valencia using roughhouse tactics against Barcelona.

Ezequiel Garay has just gone in the book for a full-blooded challenge on Luis Suarez.

The home side doing what they can to intimidate their guests.

(Image: GETTY)

15:29KEY EVENT

Andres Iniesta carried off on stretcher

This doesn’t look good for Barcelona.

Andres Iniesta has been carried off on a stretcher.

The Barcelona captain took a heavy challenge from Enzo Perez and was left crumpled in a heap, holding his knee.

(Image: EPA)

15:27

Neymar taking plenty of kicks so far.

Valencia clearly trying to unsettle the Brazilian.

The mercurial no.11 isn’t reacting so far. Doing well to keep this cool.

(Image: Getty)

15:24

Positive start from home side. Joao Cancelo and Nani offering a threat from both channels.

This is a dangerous game for Barcelona. The Valencia players are fired up, keen to impress Prandelli.

Rather than sit back it looks like the Italian has instructed his players to push forward, especially his full-backs.

(Image: Getty )

15:18

KICK-OFF: Valencia 0-0 Barcelona

We’re underway at the Mestalla.

Barcelona expected to win this game, but can Valencia make it difficult for the Catalans?

Prandelli hasn’t had much time to change the dynamic of the team. Will be interesting to see how his team approach this game.

15:13

Barcelona have won five out of six away games this season and haven’t lost at the Mestalla since a 2-1 reverse on 17 February 2007, with four wins and five draws.

Neymar and Co will be confident mood after their 4-0 demolition of Manchester City in the Champions League.

Will Valencia have enough to keep them out?

(Image: Reuters )

15:05

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is in a confident mood ahead of today’s game and refused to moan about the team’s fixture pile-up.

“The fixture list is what it is. I’m not worried because it can’t be changed.

“We are facing a bit of an unknown Valencia because of the short time since Prandelli took over.”